Tag Archives: ornaments

Historic Holiday Tours

December 11th and 12th is your chance to tour Chicago’s oldest house all decked out and lit up with authentic decorations of the 1830s and the 1840s. The Clarke house (built in 1836) and the Glessner house will feature holiday displays from the 19th century and even a live Christmas tree shipped from the Glessner’s former summer estate in New Hampshire, decorated with vintage glass and paper ornaments. You can even learn about 19th century Christmas customs. Reservations are encouraged, 312-326-1480.

historicmagnoliaborder

1. Celebrate German Style at Christkindlemarket 12/1/09-12/24/09

ChristkindelSanta-ClausThe Christkindlmarket is a German holiday tradition that has become a Chicago institution. Possibly the most popular holiday market in Chicago, the Christkindlmarket gives a unique shopping experience with an added twist of German food, drinks, and holiday entertainment.

Apart from your typical market fare that includes hand-blown ornaments and young designers showing their creations, there are a wide variety of German products like nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, beer steins, and popular Hummel figurines. With all the special events and shopping at Christkindlmarket, it’s no wonder that 2009 makes it its 14th year and continues to grow every year.